Government Support for Breastfeeding and the 2023 Lancet Series

Opened the debate

MP Alison Thewliss highlighted the importance of breastfeeding, citing its potential to prevent 800,000 child deaths annually according to WHO. She stressed that commercial milk formula marketing undermines public health by influencing beliefs and values, adding costs to formula prices, and leading to over-diagnosis of health issues such as cow's milk protein allergy. The Lancet papers indicate that the marketing has negatively altered infant feeding ecosystems and led to increased sales and profits for the industry at around $55.6 billion annually. She called for stronger regulations and commitments from the Government to protect breastfeeding, including implementing WHO’s International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in full.

Government Response

Minister Neil O'Brien acknowledged the importance of breastfeeding and congratulated Alison Thewliss for raising this issue. He highlighted the Government's commitment to promoting and supporting breastfeeding through various initiatives such as investing £300 million in family hubs, Start for Life services, and infant feeding services across 75 local authorities with high levels of deprivation. The Government has also published comprehensive guidance on how employers can support new mothers who are breastfeeding or expressing milk. He emphasised the importance of data collection to ensure policies have their desired effects and outlined existing legislation that governs marketing, composition, and labelling of infant formula and follow-on formula. The Minister committed to ensuring ongoing improvement based on scientific advice and evidence, while maintaining strict legislation aligned with WHO's International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.